Ondo: How We Curtailed Ailment from Methanol Poisoning

The Ondo State Government at the weekend said the sensitisation and other actions of the government was responsible for the curtailment of the spread of the deadly ailment that arose from consumption of methanol poison at Ode-Irele headquarters of Irele Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, stated this while addressing journalists on findings from the scientific investigations on the cause of death of 23 persons since April 12, when the news of the disease was broken.

Adeyanju, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Information, Mr Kayode Akinmade and other top officials of the Health Ministry, said the recorded deaths was purely caused by methanol poison.

The commissioner advised the people to forget about the news flying round that descreation of the community deity, caused the deaths.

Adeyanju said 33 cases were recorded with 23 deaths, 10 hospitalised out of which two had regained their sights.

He said the number of casualties from the methanol poison in the state was the lowest when compared to what was recorded in some countries that had similar cases in the past.

The commissioner said deaths from cases in Indonesia and Malaysia some years ago with similar cases and symptoms were as high as 72 deaths.

He said the research conducted on the casualties showed that those who died actually drank the local gin from the methanol poison, while those that were recuperating only sipped or tasted the substance.

Adeyanju declared that the ban on production, sale and consumption of locally brewed gin, ogogoro remained in place until otherwise directed.

He said the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) would be working in conjunction with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to regulate the production of the local gin.

Adeyanju commended various stakeholders that collaborated with the state during the period that the disease lasted.

He said the state surveillance team would still continue to monitor development in the area urging people make report any suspicious ailment or symptoms in time for prompt action.